Chapter 2: Stubborn
Mai,
I'm sorry, but it will never work. Not since I know you'll never love me for who I am. I hope you find someone you deserve. Really, I do.
Zuko
She stared at the letter. Short, sweet and to the point. He had known she loved him. But he had also known she would never disobey Azula. He was just a prize that Azula would grant her, had he not angered her. If only he'd have left his uncle to rot, this wouldn't have happened.
"What does yours say Zula?" she sighed boredly.
Azula thrust the letter into her hands. "I shouldn't have allowed Ty Lee to return to that circus." she growled. "But who knew Zuzu would have grown a set."
Azula,
Fuck you.
Zuko
Mai felt her eyes widen at reading those two words. It wasn't that she'd never seen or heard them before. It was who it was directed to. She glanced up at Azula to see her pacing.
"Are you going to call Ty Lee back?" Mai pocketed the letters.
Azula stopped. "No, Ty Lee needs to get rid of that energy. Zuzu can't go far. I'll send for her in two weeks. I say we go on a vacation, just us." she smiled.
Mai raised an eyebrow. "Vacation? Are you well?"
Azula turned to her with a real smile. "Yes. Ember Island tomorrow. Be ready."
Ty Lee and Zuko watched the girl knock out a drunkard and steal something from him. Zuko raised an eyebrow to Ty Lee.
"I thought you told her to stay put." He whispered.
"I did." Ty Lee shrugged. "She must have panicked."
They followed her silently to the forest. Ty Lee took to the trees as Zuko raced after her on foot. He avoided anything that would make noise underfoot as he ran. He stopped to decide which way to go, when Ty Lee's face dropped down in front of him.
"She's up in the clearing." she smiled swinging back up into the trees.
He slowly made his way towards where the acrobat pointed. He heard noise coming from ahead and lowered himself into a crouch. As he crept closer to the clearing, he spotted the water bender talking to a man.
"What makes you think I'm defenseless." she growled to the man.
He laughed loudly. "My sweet, sweet girl. If you weren't defenseless, you'd be holding your swords properly." he knocked the swords from her hands. "Now, gimme your money and maybe I'll let you go... mostly unharmed."
Zuko was about to go to help, but stopped as he felt Ty Lee drop next to him. "I think if we go in there now, she accidentally kill us."
They turned as they heard her throw her swords down. "You want my money?" she said quietly. "Now I have no weapons."
"Yes, and a little more." the man leered. "You're a pretty 'lil thing."
Zuko felt sick to her stomach. "Sick. I hope you're right." he mumbled to Ty Lee.
Katara held up her money bag. "Come and get it, darlin'." she said swinging it back and forth. The two hidden teens watch with bated breath as she dropped the bag a foot in front of her.
The man eyed the bag greedily as he stepped forward. Her hands lifted in front of her body quickly, causing the man to stop.
"What? You think you can take me unarmed? I'm twice your size." he barked in laughter. When she didn't lower her hands he lunged at her. "Cocky little wench."
She flicked her wrists quickly. Zuko felt Ty Lee's nails digging into his skin. "W-what's she doing? She doesn't have water." she hissed.
But as soon as she said it, the man was pinned to a tree by icicles. She picked up her bag of money and her swords, while the man stood pinned to the tree in shock. She put her money back into her other bag and walked up to the man.
"Still think I'm defenseless?" she cooed holding a sword under his chin. "Still think I'm just a pretty little face that you can scare into doing what you want?" He shook his head in fear. "Remember that next time you attempt to take advantage of an innocent woman, spineless pig." She sheathed the sword and moved her wrists in a fast movement completely encasing the man in ice except for his face. "That should melt in a day or two." she turned and walked into the thick trees.
Zuko motioned for Ty Lee to follow Katara, and with a nod she jumped into the trees. Zuko had plans for this man. He straightened his clothes and pulled his hair into a top knot. Thankfully he didn't think to change out of his royal robes before they left.
He stepped into the clearing and acted surprised to see the man frozen to the tree. The man looked up in relief, at least until he realized just who stepped through the trees.
"Your highness!" he gasped. "Please forgive me for not bowing."
Zuko nodded. "What is your name, sir?"
"I am Yin son of Xav and Ula." he said nervously.
"I've heard of General Xav." Zuko said. "Tell me, how did you end up in this situation? Surely only a water bender could do this."
"It was a demon of a woman! I was minding my own business." Zuko bit the inside of his cheek at the lie. "She attacked me an froze me to the tree. Stole my money as well."
Zuko sighed. "What did she look like?"
"Dark skin, long dark hair, and terrifying blue eyes. Unnatural-like." he shivered. Whether it was from fear or the ice, Zuko didn't care. "I don't know where she got the water, she didn't have a pouch with her your highness."
"You should know one thing, Yin." Zuko said darkly.
"W-what's that, my lord?"
"I don't like liars." He responded coolly. "I know for a fact that you harassed that woman. You provoked her to bring about this little problem. That water bender is the Avatar's teacher, I've been tracking her for weeks. Then you come along right when I'm about to catch her, and threaten to steal her things and play with her. You are a disgrace to your nation." He turned to leave and stopped. "You're lucky my second in command stopped me from interrupting and you only got frozen to a tree. I'd heed her warning."
Yin closed his eyes in shame. "Yes my lord." Zuko turned and left him frozen to the tree.
Ty Lee sat perched in a tree above Katara who had stopped and leaned against the tree. She had been waiting for Zuko to make a move. The fact that the girl didn't seem to be moving, made her a little uneasy.
Katara's head tilted back and she looked right at Ty Lee. "How long do you intend to sit up there?" she inquired catching the acrobat off guard.
Ty Lee dropped down in front of her. "Why did you run?"
"I wasn't sure if you were safe. You had been chasing me and my family for how long." she replied keeping her hands free. "I prefered to be somewhere I could protect myself."
Ty Lee noticed the girl's hands were free of any objects that might hinder movement. "That's understandable. I did kinda spring on you." she blushed. "That was a cool trick you did to that man. You should have put an icicle where it counts."
Katara smiled. "Yes, I should have. So, why did you want to talk to me of all people."
"It's my friend." she bowed her head. "He's finally picked what's more important in life. Please, just hear him out before you say or do anything."
There was a chill that went up Katara's spine. She turned her head towards where Zuko was standing just behind the brush in the shadows. She turned angrily to Ty Lee. "You set me up! I told you the Avatar was dead!" Her hands twitched slightly as she looked at the fear in the acrobat's eyes. She twirled her hands forming water whips.
Ty Lee dropped into a bow. "I didn't set you up!" she pleaded. "I was serious when I said he decided to go against the war. Please, I told Azula and Mai I needed to go back to the circus for awhile."
Katara watched the girl on the ground, but kept her senses on the man in the trees. She sent a whip out towards him and pulled him into the clearing without even looking. He landed on his stomach face down inches away from Ty Lee.
Ty Lee attempted to stifle the laugh that tried to escape. Katara hid the smirk that was trying to form as she withdrew her water and let it drop to the ground.
"Ty Lee get up please." she leaned back against the tree arms crossed waiting for the girl to stand. "How did you find me?"
"The white lotus." Ty Lee said simply. "It's an organization that seeks peace and finds ways to help those aiding those against the war. General Iroh is a member and sent me to find the avatar and join him. But if what you say is true, I turned on Azula for nothing."
Katara grimaced and glanced towards the boy still lying face down. "And what about you...Zuko?" she asked calmly. Zuko and Ty Lee's heads snapped up in surprise. "Oh, please. Just because your hair's a little longer don't think I don't know it's you."
Zuko looked at her in amazement. "I...I realized I made a mistake." he said keeping eye contact. "I hurt people in my quest to gain my honor back. And when compassion was offered to me, I turned it down just to return home."
"How is your uncle?" Katara stared straight faced as she asked. She could tell neither of the teens were lying, but that didn't mean she could forgive them right away. Ty Lee maybe, because she knew the girl was out of place with Azula.
"I don't know." Zuko sighed. "I've tried to apologize..."
"Sorry doesn't cut it, Zuko. You have to mean it. You don't say it just to clear your guilt." Katara said heatedly. "If you really have decided to help end this war, then prove it."
"Aren't you going to make me apologize?" Ty Lee questioned in confusion.
Katara raised an eyebrow. "What for?"
"Well... I... attacked you all those times. And took away your bending." she said nervously.
Katara shrugged. "You were following orders. I really don't see you as a threat, Pinky." she smirked. "His highness on the other hand, has a lot to make up for. Why are you still kneeling?" she scolded him. "If someone were to come by and see the fire nation prince kneeling to a peasant, it'd be my head. Get up."
He stood up quickly brushing himself off. Katara shook her head sadly. "And he takes orders from a peasant too." she smiled.
His eyes widened. "Would you stop?" he grumbled. "I'm trying to fix what I fucked up, and you're making jokes." Ty Lee giggled causing him to blush.
"Just tell me why you came looking for me instead of the avatar, and I'll be on my way." Katara pushed off the tree she'd been leaning on.
Ty Lee went to answer, but Zuko beat her to it. "Ty Lee was looking for the avatar. I was told to find you since you separated from the group."
"Why me? It's great you finally got your head out of your ass, but what makes anyone think I want to travel with a self centered prince?" she snapped.
"I...I don't need this! You're right! Why would I want to travel with a water peasant? Ty Lee, why did I let you talk me into this. I should have let that psycho kill me." he groused. Katara bit the inside of her lip.
"He can teach you how to use those weapons." Ty Lee panicked. "Please, just let him travel with you. It's safer for the both of you."
Katara had never seen Ty Lee upset, and to see Zuko place a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "Ty, calm down. If she says no, I'll be fine." He whispered but Katara heard him.
"Oh for hell's sake!" Katara growled. "Fine. Zuko you teach me how to fight and I'll accompany you for awhile."
Ty Lee squealed and hugged the girl. "Thank you, Katara! I wouldn't have left him on his own if you hadn't agreed." she sobbed into her shoulder.
Katara patted her on the back, and glared at Zuko. "It's alright Ty Lee. It might be fun." she soothed. "I'm actually surprised you know my name at all. I figured you knew me as Peasant Girl."
Zuko choked back a laugh, and Ty Lee whirled on him. "Zuko! That's not funny! You will make me a promise right now..."
"No." It didn't come from Zuko. "Don't force him to be nice, because you know I won't."
That brought a laugh to both Zuko and Ty Lee. "I wouldn't have it any other way, peasant." He smirked.
They had finally made it to the western coast of the fire nation. From here it would be nothing but ocean until they made it to the western temple. But tonight they'd rest. Sokka volunteered to stay behind with Appa and Momo while Toph and Aang went for supplies.
"What are we going to do Momo?" he sighed patting the lemur on the head. "I know she needs space, but to run off alone in the fire nation. Anything could happen."
The lemur turned his large green eyes on him and chattered. Sokka smiled sadly at the creature. If something happened to his sister he'd never forgive himself. Momo's ears twitched to some sound he couldn't hear. He watched as the lemur stiffened and started yammering.
"What's the matter Momo?" he said pulling his boomerang out just in case.
He heard a tree branch shake and watched as something, or rather, someone dropped to the ground. They had a hood on hiding their face, but they were smaller then him.
He jumped to his feet. "Who are you? What do you want?"
Slim hands were raised in surrender. "I'm not here to cause any trouble. I am here to join the avatar in his search for a fire bending master. In fact, I know one is waiting for him."
Sokka lowered his boomerang, but kept it out. "That's all fine, but you have yet to tell me your name."
"I'll tell you if you promise not to harm me." she coaxed.
"Fine." he sighed. She lowered her hood to reveal her face. "Ty Lee! He reached for his club, but she already jabbed his arms.
"You said you wouldn't hurt me. That is my only insurance." she smiled sadly. "I left Azula and Mai. Your sister told me where to find you. I was just lucky you all stopped here before heading to the temple. That's where the fire bending master is waiting for Avatar Aang."
Sokka was shocked. "What happened to the bouncy always smiling Ty Lee? You're not even wearing pink."
She chuckled. "Believe me, being around Azula is dangerous if you have a brain. As long as she thought I was an airhead I was safe. In fact, the whole circus thing was supposed to be an act. But I fell in love with it. That's where they think I am at the moment."
"Can I ask you something?" he asked. She nodded. "Well, in Ba Sing Se you three were in Kyoshi Warrior uniforms. How... are the girls you took them from..."
"They're still alive." Ty Lee cut in. "I made sure they were rescued from the ship taking them to prison. Azula was going to kill them, but I told her prison would be worse."
"Y-you had them rescued?" he choked.
She held out a Paisho piece. "This is called the White Lotus. It is a secret order attempting to bring peace back to the world. It helps many others who are in danger as long as they are trying to better the world."
"I have one of those!" he gasped. "Piando gave it to me."
"The sword master?" she mused. "Yes, he is the one who helped me get here so fast. No wonder he used such quick means of travel." She jabbed him in the shoulders bringing back the use of his arms. "They'll be a little tingly. And that Suki girl. I'm sorry but she..."
"She's moved on I know." Sokka smiled sadly. "Yue told me."
Ty Lee tilted her head. Iroh had once mentioned the name once, but she couldn't remember when. She sat down and itched Momo behind the ears, keeping an eye on Sokka.
"I guess you can come with us. If you're lying Toph will know." he sighed pulling out an apple and tossing it to her. He pulled a few nuts out for the lemur and another apple for himself. "Momo, here let her apple alone."
She told him stories about the circus and what it was like growing up with Zuko and Azula. He told her about the South Pole and some of the places they'd been before she came into the picture.
They had found a cave to stay in for the night after Ty Lee left. Katara kept her distance from the indecisive prince. She wouldn't allow herself to get close again. He sat near the entrance to the cave staring out into the night, leaving her alone to her thoughts.
She pulled out some fruit and cut it up into two bowls. "I have some fruit if you're hungry." she called setting the bowl away from her and eating her own.
He turned to look at her. "I thought you weren't going to be nice to me." he smirked picking up the bowl.
She swallowed. "I figured since you'd be teaching me to use those swords, you'll need energy." she responded.
"How nice of you." he sniffed as he ate the fruit. "I assumed you were finally excepting your position as a peasant."
"Oh yes, your royal pain in the ass. It is my greatest pleasure to pamper your already overly large ego." she snickered.
"Peasant!"
"Spoiled brat."
"Worthless servant!"
"Egotistical snot!"
"Water whore!"
That stung. She turned away from him and rolled out her sleeping bag. Not looking up at him once as she crawled in and feigned sleep. Zuko watched all this, and felt a pang of guilt. He meant to make amends with her, and what did he do, insulted her. He stomped out of the cave angry with himself.
What was it uncle always said. Girls were complicated creatures. He remembered how Mai had been. He would try to please her with things he saw Ty Lee liked. Pretty things, but Mai would toss it aside and ignore the gesture. He had to make it somewhat bearable if he was going to spend a month with the water bender.
He walked back into the cave and sat down against the wall. He'd sleep for now and figure out how to fix it in the morning. He had just started to fell asleep when he heard a whimper coming from the sleeping bag.
He crawled over to her only to find her trapped in a nightmare. "Hey, wake up." he shook her to no avail. "Ka...Katara, you're having a nightmare."
Her fist connected with the side of his head as she swung in fear. His grunt of pain snapped her out of her nightmare. She sat up quickly surveying her surroundings. Her eyes landed on Zuko holding his face.
"What happened to you?" she snapped.
He glanced at her. "I fell over in my sleep and hit my head." he lied.
She laughed as she grabbed an extra sleeping bag tossing it to him. "Here your highness, can't have you sleeping on the ground." She turned back over knowing full well what happened to his face.
...
The next morning came quickly, and Zuko was surprised to find the water bender awake before him. She was sitting before him holding a bowl of rice.
"Fire benders rise with the sun huh?" she smirked. "Sure you're a fire bender?"
He stuck his tongue out. "What about you Miss-I-rise-with-the-moon." he grabbed the rice and started eating. "Any idea where you're headed? Or were you just going to wander around the fire nation hoping not to get caught."
She stood up and began putting her things away. "I left because I needed to be alone. I told them where I'd meet them in a month."
He raised his eyebrow. "Did you want to be alone? I can leave."
She shrugged. "Once you teach me to use those swords you can leave if you want."
He nodded as he finished breakfast. This wasn't the same girl he'd been locked away with in Ba Sing Se. This girl seemed to be lost, but at the same time angry. She was acting how he did when he'd been banished.
"Well, any idea where you want to go now?" he asked. "Do you even know where you are?"
"Ty Lee said I was in Lava Rock city." she replied strapping her pack to her back. "Sokka has all the maps."
He nodded. "I guess he was the one that decided where you were going?"
She laughed. "After Aang had us flying circles all over the place, he bought a map and took charge."
"Wait. So, after he escaped he was just flying circles?" Zuko shook his head as she nodded. "We thought he was a tactical genius, and now I find out he was just flying around lost?"
"He wasn't lost." she giggled. "He wanted to ride the elephant coy and just kept finding other things to play with. He is a child after all."
Zuko stood up grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "An annoying child." he mumbled. "There's a town a few miles from here that we can stay in for awhile."
"What about you?" she pointed to his face. "They'll know you left by now. You're not exactly dressed as a peasant. I can manage to hide your... scar."
He whirled around. "What do you mean. You can't hide it. It takes up my entire face!" he snapped.
She pushed him backwards. "Don't get all pissy with me. I could have removed that hideous thing if you wouldn't have turned on us. But I had to use it when your insane sister struck him down."
"What did you want me to do?" he threw his bag down. "She had the Dai Li at her command. Even if I did help you it would have been for nothing."
She tossed her pack down and punched him in the jaw. "Coward! All we had to do was take her out! I had her and you fucked it up!" she swung again hitting him in the gut.
He grabbed her wrist and pinned her against his chest. "For a girl, you sure throw a punch like a man." he said coldly. "You don't need those swords."
"Fuck you, princess." she kicked him in the shin and picked up her pack. "I don't need your help."
He watched her take off through the woods leaving him behind. He sighed as he picked up his things. He would keep an eye on her like his uncle once did for him. He wondered what happened to her to that she became so cold.
Azula and Mai watched as the two teenage boys set their things out on the beach. They decided to try and relax before reporting Zuko. At the moment they were enjoying the swarm of boys catering to them.
"Mai, I've been thinking." Azula smirked as Shen fanned her.
"What's that?" Mai responded coyly.
"I think we should stay for a bit longer. It's not everyday we get to sit back and enjoy... handsome young men."
Mai nodded to her friend accepting a glass of refreshing ice water. She could live with that. They deserved a break.